iCloud backups are available for 180 days after you (disable or stop using) iCloud Backup.
HOWEVER... if you have multiple devices.. does the statement apply to EACH device or to iCloud as a whole?
Each device. Say you have the following devices:
iPhone 6: left in a drawer and hasn’t been charged in 6 months (
stopped using iCloud backup)
iPhone 7: traded in 6 months ago after erase all content and settings (
disabled iCloud backup)
iPhone 13: iCloud backup working normally
The iPhone 6 and 7 would have their iCloud backups deleted after 6 months of inactivity. The iPhone 13 backup would remain working as normal.
Also,how do you get to your icloud backups? Can i get to them from itunes? or on the web? I can't get to them on the 4s because it's passcode locked. I don't see them listed on the other phones. (I've never seen more than 1 backup and my phones backup regularly. It has to be restored. so maybe I could try restoring from that backup. omg that would be awesome. (sorry for the tangent)
Restore to a new device is the only way (if the backup hasn’t been deleted yet). If you want to archive backups, you need to use a Mac or PC (iTunes) to create the backup.
I name my iPad and iPhones by model (e.g. Rui’s iPhone SE2, Rui’s iPhone SE3, Rui’s iPP 12.9 5th gen, etc) so it’s easy to know which is which on Find My and iCloud Backups.